A journal club is a group of individuals who meet regularly to critically evaluate recent articles from the literature. Journal clubs are usually based around a particular subject and can be used for several purposes such as to:
• introduce and raise awareness of current, relevant research literature;
• promote the understanding of research and research jargon;
• promote the critical analysis of new research;
• promote informed debate on current topics of research; and
• allow an experienced team member an opportunity to share his/her knowledge and expertise with newer members of the team.
The NDSIS can help you start your own work-based journal club. Email us for a free “Journal Club Pack” which includes: articles giving more information on journal clubs; some sample articles for a club meeting, and suggestions how to plan your first meetings.
If you are ready to start a club or already have a club operating we can help you with article selection and article supply (a free copy of an article of your choice delivered on a regular basis). Good places to check for new articles are the Drug database [webpage] or the content pages of well respected alcohol and other drug journals (such as Addiction [webpage] or Drug and Alcohol Review [webpage] ).
Online journal club
An alternative to forming a journal club is participating in an online journal club. The NDSIS has just started an AOD online journals club and you are welcome to join.
Members receive a current journal article by email once a month, with questions and a date to join the journal club blog for discussion. For more information contact Jane Shelling or go to www.adca.org.au/blog. [webpage]
All Journal Club activities, articles and assistance are free of charge.
